Current-interrupter.



C. F. KETTERING.

CURRENT INTERRUPTER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14. I910.

1,162,073. Patent-ed Nov. 30, 1915.

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VITNESSE i INKEIVTOR.

QMJEKfiW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. KETTERING, OF'DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE DAYTON ENGINEERING LABORATORIES (30., A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

CURRENT-INTERRUPTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 30, 1915.

Original application filed March 12, 1910, Serial No. 548,921. Divided and this application filed November 14, 1910. Serial No. 592,290.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CrrAnLns F. KETTER- no, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, county of Montgomery, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Current-Interrupters, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to an improved form of current interrupter for electrical circuits, and has among its objects to provide for the more effective. operation and the better mechanical construction of such interrupters or circuit-breakers in order to.

make their use more effective particularly as applied in ignition systems such as are used for internal combustion engines.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention comprises certain novel forms of construction, a preferred form of'embodiment of which is shown in the accompanying'drawings and described hereinafter.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved interrupter contained in what will be referred to as the spark controller box. Fig. 2 is a smaller top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an end view with the casing removed. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the ignition circuit.

The present application is a division of my previously filed applidation Serial No. 548921 filed March 12, 1910, which application in part shows the devices embodied in the present application.

Referring to the diagrammatic Fig. 4, the ignition circuit includes the battery or source of current 25 which is connected to.

two coils of wire 12 and 13 wound upon the core 10. The coil 12 is a low resistance coil and is connected to the leaf spring contact plate 21. The high resistance coil 13 is connected to the upper and similar contact plate 20. The armature 15 when attracted to the core breaks the contact between the plates 20 and 21., Also connected to the upper contact plate 20 is the wire leading to what is diagrammatically represented as the induction coil C and timer T, the timer and the battery being grounded as shown.

The details of the induction coil and the timer are shown and described more in detail in my applicationabove referred to, the present diagrammatic Fig. 1 being intended to be an abbreviated form for the sake of clearness. Vhen the current flows through this circuit by the making of the contact at the timer, the coils 12 and 18 cause the core 10 to attract the armature 15 and thus separate the contact plates 20 and 21 against the tension of the spring 23. This breaks the circuit through the low resistance coil 12 and causes a spark in the secondary of the induction coil. But the high resistance coil 13 remains in circuit and holds the armature 15 down until the circuit is broken at the timer. Thus only a single spark occurs for each time that the timer makes contact to close the primary circuit.

With this general description, the interrupter or circuit breaker itself will now be described. This circuit breaker as it might be called, comprises a number of cooperating elements and connections which are mounted on av supporting plate 5. On one side of said plate, the circuit connections intermediatethe binding posts 9 are secured opposite side of said plate, and to which thesaid circuit connections are adapted to be secured.

The above mentioned elements comprise the electromagnet 1, securely held to the plate 5, by means of the core 10, and the con-- denser 2, which in turn is fastened to the plate 5, in a determined position, relative to the magnet 1, by means of the rod 11. These elements are inclosed or covered by means of the casing or shell 6, which is removably held in position by means of a nut 8, engaging with the rod 7.

The circuit connections which are mounted on the opposite side of the supporting plate 5, from that on which the magnet and condenser are mounted, is also inclosed by means of the cover or shell 1, which in turn is secured in position by any suitable means.

On the core 10, of the magnet 1, as has been described above, two windings are ar- 'terial.

ranged, numbered 12 and 13 respectively, the winding 12 being of heavy or coarse wire, and of relatively low resistance, while the winding 13 is of comparatively fine wire and of relatively high resistance. Each of these windings are so connected with the circuit as to impart like poles to the core. This arrangement is clearly shown in Fig. 4.

The core of the magnet has an extension 14, which is so formed that it extends parallel to the coils 12 and 13, and consequently parallel to that'portion of the core indicated by the numeral 10.

The forward end of the extension 14 has a right angle armature 15, pivotally mounted thereon and so arranged that one end of the armature is positioned in alinement with the end of the magnet 10, while the other end of said armature lies directly adjacent to an extended portion of the leaf spring contact plate 20. The contact plate 20 cooperates with the contact plate 21, each of said plates carrying at their free ends, suitable points of platinum, tungsten, or other suitable ma- These contact points are normally held in contact making position by means of the spring 23, pressing upon the contact plate 20, at a point which is substantially in alinement with the portion of said plate which is engaged by the armature 15.

By referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the armature 15 is so positioned that the end 19 thereof, including the button 24 ofinsulating material, is spaced apart from the contact plate 20, when the armature is in its normal position, and therefore, a certain range of lost motion or play is permitted the armature, when it is actuated by the magnet to engage the contact plate 20. By permitting this lost motion, previous to its engagement with the contact plate 20, it will be obvious that the armature will be independent of any spring pressure, throughout this range of lost motion and therefore, the vibration of the spring 23, which controls the contact plates, will in no way be trans mitted to the armature. Thus, the common occurrence of having the armature chatter is substantially avoided. Again, this range of lost motion or play of the armature, previous to its engagement with the contact plate 20, permits of a slight percussive effect by the armature, on the plate 20, at such times as the armature is actuated by the magnet 1. It will also be seen that by having that portion of the spring 23, which engages the contact plate 20, impinging at a point thereon,

' in direct alinement with that portion of the by the spring 28, so

plate which is engaged by the armature 15, the pressure exerted by the armature arm 19, is directly opposed to the force exerted I that no appreciable stress is set up in the contact plate 20, such as might otherwise'tend to distort the shape of said plate and thus interfere With the delicate adjustment necessary for efficient working, as might be the case where the point of impingement, by the spring 23 on the plate 20, is not in alinement with that portion of said plate, which is engaged by the armature 15. This arrangement also assists in preventing a periodic the armature, and securing what may be termed, a forced vibration'only, thereof.

As a means for regulating the amount 0 play between the armature and the magnet core 10, and the contact plate 20, there is provided a threaded core or insert pole piece 16. which is adjustably secured in the threaded bore formed in the magnetic core 10.

In order'that the threaded core 16 may be held securely in its adjusted position and at the same time, to readily permit of adjustments being made thereby, the said core carries a notched disk 17, which cooperates with the spring catch 18. It will now be seen that by rotating this disk, the core insert will be moved in or out, relative to the body of the core and to the armature, thus varying the space between the end of the armature u and the threaded core. One of the primary objectsof having this threaded core insert, is that the wear of the contact points may be compensated for, and the former rate of vibration of the armature maintained. Because of the normal position of the armature, when properly adjusted relative to the contact plate 20, there will be no appreciable lifting pressure exerted by the residual magnetism if the coil should tend to attract the armature.

In the operation of the adjusting means for increasing and decreasing the movement of the armature, relative to the core 10 of the magnet 1, it is desired that the movement of the armature be such as will open the contact plates 20 and 21, a slight degree, or just enough to cause a break in the circuit.

In order to prevent injury to the elements contained within the casing 6, when said casing is removed or replaced, a Ushaped bar 30 is mounted on a relatively stationary part of the circuit breaker, for example; the core extension 14:, adjacent to the point of impingement of the contacts 20 and 21, to afford protection to said elements, during the removal and replacement of the casing.

In the operation of the system, it will be understood that when the timer closes the main circuit, current will flow from the battery, through the timer T and the coil C, through the contact plates 20 and 21, heavy winding 12, back to the battery. Of course there will also be a small amount of current, flowing through the fine winding 13, but because of the difference in resistance of the coils 13 and 12, the amount of current which passes through the coil 13, during the time that the coil 12 is connected in the main circuit, Will be reduced to a minimum.

vibration of As soon as the core 10 becomes energized, the armature 15 will be attracted. and in its movement. will break the contact between the plates 20 and 21. thereby breaking the main circuit at 22 and generating a sparking impulse in the coil 0. However, when the main circuit is broken at 22,1 small amount of current still continues to flow through the tine winding 13. The amount of current which is adapted to pass through this line winding is just enough to maintain the core ll) in energized condition, and to consequently maintain the armature in attracted position. This condition is maintained as long as the contact is maintained by the timer. Thus. the armature 15 is prevented from vibrating or buzzing, while a single interruption of the low resistance or main circuit produces a sulticient change in the current to generate a strong spark in the appropriate secondary circuit. The condenser 2. as is clearly shown in Fig. 3, is connected across the contacts 20 and 21, in the usual manner.

It is to be understood that the construction herein shown and described is only a preferred form of embodiment of the invention and that the same may be embodied in other forms all coming within the spirit or scope of this invention.

\Vhat is claimed is as follows 1. In an electric ignition system for internal combustion engines, a circuit-lneakcr comprising, in combination, an electromagnet, contact springs in series with the magnet winding, an armature normally free from the influence of springs actuated by the magnet and arranged to engage one of said contacts to separate the latter, and an independent spring normally closing the contacts.

2. In an electric ignition system for internal combustion engines, a circuit-breaker comprising, in combination. an electrmnagnet, an armature actuated thereby, a contact spring, a second contact spring provided with a contact point cooperating with the first and extended beyond the point of contact into the path of the armature, and a contact-closing spring vengmging the extended position of said second contact.

3. In a circuit-breaker for an electric ignition system for internal combustion engines, in combination, an electromagnethaving a core, an armature cooperating with the core, a set of contact elements controlled by said armature and independent thereof; and ad justable 'means carried by the core to regulate the cXtent of movement of the armature toward the core, and toward the set of contact elements.

4; In a circuit-breaker for an electric ignition system for internalcombustion engines, in combination, an'electromagnet having a core, an armature cooperating with the core,

a set of contact elements controlled by said armature and independent thereot: and a pole-piece carried by the core and adjustable tion system for internal combustion engines,

in combination, an eleetromagnet, contacts in series with the magnet winding, and an armature movable inwardly toward and outwardly from the magnet said armature being arranged to separate the contacts by its inward movement'butto be wholly disengaged from the contacts when in its outermost position. whereby wear of the contacts may be taken up without atfecting the rate of vibration of tl armature.

T. In a circuit-breaker for an electric ignition system for internal combustion engines, in combination, a circuit-breaker. having contacts arranged to impinge upon andto be disengaged from each other, and having a contact-actuating member arranged to en gage one of the contacts adjacent to its point of impingement upon the other, a removable casing inclosing the circuit-lneaker, and a guard adjacent to such point of impingement and mounted on a relatively stationary part of the circuit-breaker to protect the contacts and contact-actuating member during removal and replacement of the casing.

S. In an electric ignition system for internal combustion engines, a circuit-ln'eaker comprising in combination, an electromagnet having a core, said core having a threaded bore at one end; a core insert adjustably mounted in said bore; apivoted armature actuated by said magnet,.thc movementof said armature toward the core being regulated by the adjustment of the core insert; and a set of contacts actuated by the armature but independent of said armature.

9. In a circuit-breaker for ignition systems. the combination with an clectro-magnet including a core having an adjustable core insert; a magnetlcally conductive plate connected directly at one. end of said core and having projections at its opposite end;

contact members mounted on said plate; an armature loosely mounted between the said projections of said plate, one end of said armature lying in 'alinement with and adapted to be attracted to the magnet core,

the opposite end of said armature being arranged to actuate the contacts.

10. In a circuit-breaker tor an electric ignition system for internal combustion tact elements, and means for latching said engines, in combination, an electrical magadjustable means in set position. 1) net having a core, an armature cooperating In testimony whereof I :lfl'iX my signature with the core, a set of contact elements conin the presence of two subscribing witnesses. trolled by said armature, but independent CHARLES F. KETTERING. thereof adjustable means carried by the Witnesses:

core to regulate the extant of movement of J. B. HARVARD,

the armature toward the core, and the con- Clms. D. Bnoxsox.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

